Well you guys seem to know your fair share about BMW's, so I figured this would be the best place to go. First off, I currently own a 2002 Mustang GT that I'm trying to sale. It's pretty much set up for drag and what not. I want something a little nicer and something that isn't so damn loud, bumpy, uncomfortable or inefficient.
So my brother in law (he happens to be a mechanic at the BMW dealership here) told me to look at some BMW's. I found a 2003 330xi that I really like. Now, I'm not used to prices on basic after market performance upgrades for imports (exhaust, tuning and intake). It may just be the fact that it's an import but man, the prices for this stuff is crazy!
My original plan was to just buy this car and do the basics to it. I'm trying to not get too fancy with it. I just want a mid grade exhaust system that isn't loud, intake and a programmer or chip. Could you guys happen to push me towards a certain brand or some websites that may help me out?
Thanks!

Kubica

11-01-2010 04:28 PM

First things first. Burn the Mustang. Spend your money on maintenance for the BMW first, and once it's 100%, start tearing it apart and adding mods. Your car already has a nice exhaust. Why not grab a BMW Performance intake for $300 and shark software for about the same if you really want them. I would do lightweight wheels and nice tires first though- that's my opinion on bang for the buck.

Bdrook88

11-01-2010 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kubica
(Post 12413695)

First things first. Burn the Mustang. Spend your money on maintenance for the BMW first, and once it's 100%, start tearing it apart and adding mods. Your car already has a nice exhaust. Why not grab a BMW Performance intake for $300 and shark software for about the same if you really want them. I would do lightweight wheels and nice tires first though- that's my opinion on bang for the buck.

Haha, I figured something would be said about my Mustang. The one I'm looking at is a certified preowned BMW and my brother in law checked it out really well and says that it's in great condition. I wasn't aware that the stock exhaust on it was good. Thanks for the input, I'll check all of it out.

ZemogFC3S

11-01-2010 04:32 PM

ouch. Mustangs are fun... in a crude, single purpose way.

So the 330 comes with 225 crank HP stock and thats about all you'll get out of it. the ZHP performance package had hotter cams and some DME changes and makes 235 crank HP. I'm sure you can get a cold-air intake and remove some cats and get another 5 hp but then thats really it.

These cars are all-arounders. Good at everything but not great at 1 thing, until you start working in the suspension.

OrientBlau

11-01-2010 04:34 PM

You're lucky to have a BIL who works as a mechanic for BMW.

Bdrook88

11-01-2010 04:44 PM

Thanks for the input Zemog.

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrientBlau
(Post 12413727)

You're lucky to have a BIL who works as a mechanic for BMW.

Yea, it's one of the reasons I want to get one. He gets all the parts for list price and I don't have to pay for labor.

DasQvck

11-01-2010 07:16 PM

Definitely go for it. I recently bought an '01 330xi and I love it. My biggest problems are the common things like suspension bushings, crankcase vent, and other rubber parts that wear out over time. You'll love the way you can turn a corner and floor it with endless grip, especially compared to the 'stang. Good luck.

pjo33us

11-02-2010 09:40 AM

Dont buy an xi... get yourself a rwd coupe or sedan if you are going to mod it. The handling will be better out of the box. The xi is great if you need a snow car, imo it is better than an Outback, but you live in Memphis.

Xi ers...I too love my xi as it is "the balls" in Colorado.

OrientBlau

11-02-2010 09:51 AM

A freind is a BMW tech and he once told methat they hate working on Xis. Very cramped.

TerraPhantm

11-02-2010 10:03 AM

I've had both... while the Xi is a little better in snow, the RWD isn't bad w/ the right tires. Everything else about the RWD 330s is much better. Definitely go RWD. If you can swing it, go for an M3... otherwise go with a ZHP or something along those lines

pjo33us

11-02-2010 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrientBlau
(Post 12416541)

A freind is a BMW tech and he once told methat they hate working on Xis. Very cramped.

The only BMW that I owned that was rwd was a 1969 2002 which was obviously pretty easy to work on. I actually find my xi pretty easy to deal with as long as I have the right tools.

pjo33us

11-02-2010 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TerraPhantm
(Post 12416569)

I've had both... while the Xi is a little better in snow, the RWD isn't bad w/ the right tires. Everything else about the RWD 330s is much better. Definitely go RWD. If you can swing it, go for an M3... otherwise go with a ZHP or something along those lines

+1... be advised that parts for an M3 are pretty pricey compared to a regular 330i or zhp... I think the water pump is $300 versus $55 alone, and that is a maintenece item!

Ivanhoe

11-02-2010 11:22 AM

I had a 330 xi for some months ago and love it. :thumbup:

Bdrook88

11-02-2010 10:17 PM

Thanks for the input guys. My brother in law said the all wheel drive is nice for handling but it's really made for shitty weather conditions... which Memphis is pretty tame in the weather department.
I was originally looking for a M3 but I couldn't find one that would fit in my 20k budget. I found a pretty nice 330ci that I'm looking into. All though I'm not sure if it's a ZHP or not. See link below. Notice how they got the motor listed wrong... lol. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2005-...entgigamovesId
Scroll to bottom to see the car.
But first things first, I've gotta sell my Mustang. I've got a guy that's coming tomorrow, he seems pretty interested.

Ivanhoe

11-03-2010 10:26 AM

The car looks nice, but if you need to sell your mustang first, why not try to test the market and keep looking for private party so you can have better price ?

This is what I did, spend some months looking at the web on different pages and finally I found mine, takes time but is worthed.

Bdrook88

11-03-2010 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ivanhoe
(Post 12421512)

The car looks nice, but if you need to sell your mustang first, why not try to test the market and keep looking for private party so you can have better price ?

This is what I did, spend some months looking at the web on different pages and finally I found mine, takes time but is worthed.

Yea, that was my original plan. But then I looked up the blue book on it and it was like 21k. So that is weighing in pretty heavy.
Edit: 21k was the private party value in excellent condition.

pjo33us

11-03-2010 10:52 AM

That car looks real decent... I think it has a CSL air damn and those are sport pkg seats... Miles are pretty low at 55k... you hit some pretty major maintenace around 75k... Any accidents?

Bdrook88

11-03-2010 10:54 AM

It's got a completely clear report with all the oil changes recorded.

BMW_Matt

11-03-2010 11:05 AM

Then get it. Don't expect much performance out of intake and exhaust like other people said. The only real performance is FI, so if you want it to sound cool, get a nice exhaust, however for the intake just cut a hole in the bottom for more air.
You can spend $300 on better things.

Bdrook88

11-03-2010 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW_Matt
(Post 12421678)

Then get it. Don't expect much performance out of intake and exhaust like other people said. The only real performance is FI, so if you want it to sound cool, get a nice exhaust, however for the intake just cut a hole in the bottom for more air.
You can spend $300 on better things.